mess

Devastation was all around us.

Country Boy

camper IN a mobile home

It quickly became apparent which homeowners had good homeowners insurance and which ones didn’t.

A drive down Highway 9 from Norman headed east would show rooftop after rooftop with damage. Quickly the homes with good insurance began displaying blue tarps on their rooftops. House after house all sported blue squares. The local hardware stores sold out of all manner of tarps pretty quickly and had to have different ones brought in from other parts of the country, even some hurricane tarps . I even saw one house sporting a makeship tarp made out of a vinyl billboard sign.

As time passed and more construction crews came in, the roof tarps started getting replaced with shingles.

But today, several months after the tornado you can still see homes that haven’t been repaired. There aren’t as many but looking out over the horizon you still see a few blue squares. You can still see twisted metal frames laying on the side of the road, and mangled aluminum in what trees are left.

You also see the homes where nothing at all has been done. It’s apparent those homeowners probably didn’t have enough coverage, if they had coverage at all. Many of those folks are displaced, some of the houses sit empty. Some of the homes sit half there, half gone.

It’s sad. We can’t always determine when a twister will hit, we can only be prepared. Have you checked ‘your’ insurance coverage lately?

Brian Dunning was the lyric entertainment, Kyle Dillingham, and other performed. Food was provided by local businesses. The evenings festivities included a silent auction (bikes and gear) , raffles and gift certificates. Money raised will be used for the enhancement of multi-use trails.

bike trail

This past May, the city council approved a resolution making Norman the first fair trade city in Oklahoma. The fair trade action supports buying fair trade goods that are produced locally, or if purchased elsewhere, that meet fair trade standards.

The passed resolution is the result of a 2-year campaign by Norman Fair Trade, a volunteer group. They believe in “Buy Local and Buy Fair” and now their actions have paid off with Norman becoming the first Fair Trade city.

Who’s next?

The USDA Farm to School Team’s March 10, 2010 webinar, USDA Farm to School: Opportunities to Increase Local Foods in School Meals, has been posted to the website. The website provides information on its 2010 mission and goals, available resources, and grant opportunities. The website also includes the agenda, presentation handouts, and Q&As from the webinar.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/f2s/sightssoundsstories.htm

Could it be that the day is bigger in Europe than here in the US?

Brussels celebrated by planting a huge blade upright in the EU quarter. Much like a monolith- it stands tall in the square, a reminder to everyone that wind power is growing.

My hairdresser always suggests that I head over to the ‘beauty’ store and buy some high-end shampoo, but she never ’specifies’ a brand. When I get to the store, I’m overwhelmed….

What do I choose?

I know that my hair has a little frizz when the weather’s humid. I know it’s a little wavy, yet won’t hold the newer ’straight’ style. My hairdresser says I need a moisturizing shampoo.

I’ve tried cheap brands and high end brands and when I find one I like, one that tames my frizz and holds my style, and is as environmentally friendly as they come, well I buy it and I buy multiples.

One of the things I found that tames my hair is keratin shampoo. Keratin is a protein, the same type of protein that our hair is built from. Using a keratin shampoo adds protein to the hair shaft and tames it and it’s a natural substance to boot.

Love that smooth!

A few years ago, there was a gas station grocery store next door. Sadly it burnt down and was never rebuilt.

Now that corner sits empty. I think it’d make a great location for a ‘drive to’ organic grocery store. A grocery store that caters to the health minded folk with lots of activities going on every month in the ample spaces and the huge parking lot.

Recent legislation of House Bill 3015 makes healthy corner grocery stores eligible for Agricultural Linked Deposit Loan Packages of up to $350,000. The low interest packages will encourage people to open up more grocery stores benefiting not only the local community customers but suppliers as well.

100 percent LOCAL

has over 2000 products

lets you order ONLINE

Monthly deliveries

plus NINE metro pickup sites

Before you go grocery shopping again, check out Oklahoma Food Cooperative at http://www.oklahomafood.coop

Families with children that have allergies or asthma choose green cleaning services over the traditional. Homeowners knowing that their homes were cleaned with the greenist products available show their gratitude by continuing to hire the green companies over the ordinary maid services.

A lot of people are getting back on track to getting in shape and one of the best ways to do that is walking! Whether your walking includes around your block or the track at the lake you’ll be off to a good start if you start with a good pair of walking shoes.

We love New Balance. We’ve been wearing New Balance shoes for years and their walking shoes are top notch.

A great place to get your shoes is NBNorthShore.com, an online New Balance store. The selection is unbelievable. They carry over 10,000 pairs of shoes in stock! You’ll have no trouble ordering and receiving just the right pair for you.

This is MY favorite pair:

Pink Shoes

It’s an online exclusive! You won’t find this deal anywhere but here! It’s the New Balance WW558WP, women’s walking shoe. It comes in many widths too, all the way from a narrow 4A to a really wide 4E. It’s cushioned, has the Abzorb heel, is very affordable AND it has a pink logo! They’re the perfect for power walking with your neighborhood lady friends. They’ll be envious and will certainly want to know where you found them.

Don’t be stingy and keep the secret to yourself! Tell them New Balance North Shore

Prices for these quality walkers range from around $40 in the clearance section to just over a hundred. Styles range from high stability, Velcro closures, solid black, white and tan as well as colored logo ones similar to the pair I’ve chosen.

You can even find New Balance Rock and Tone shoes! These are all the rage right now among smart walkers. You get the rocking motion that helps tone your muscles, from your calves, to your glutes to your core.

Whatever your style you can find it at the New Balance North Shore’s online store. Don’t put off getting into shape any longer. Start out with the proper foundation, a new pair of New Balance walking shoes, and you’ll be sure to go far.

Let’s get walking!